REVIEW · PHUKET
Phi Phi Khai Islands Excursion with Seaview & Lunch by speedboat
Book on Viator →Operated by Famous Tourism · Bookable on Viator
Fast boats, island legends, and a solid lunch. This Phi Phi and Khai Islands day tour is built around speedboat comfort, hotel pickup, and easy snorkeling with provided gear. I like that you get a full menu of stops: famous viewpoints, time on Phi Phi Don, plus a beach-and-snorkel finale at Khai Nai. One thing to keep in mind is the 8 to 9 hour day on the water, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, plan for it early.
What makes the flow work is the way the day is structured. You’re picked up from your Phuket hotel in the 7:00 to 8:00 window, then you check in at the pier with snacks and hot drinks before the boat leaves around 9:20 am. The guide is an English speaker, and from feedback I’ve read, the name that shows up is Net—engaging, funny, and attentive to your comfort.
Here’s the vibe: you’re not stuck waiting around for long stretches, but you also aren’t rushed through everything. You get a good split between photo stops, snorkeling time, and breaks to actually enjoy the shoreline.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- From Phuket Hotel to the Pier: How the Day Starts
- Speedboat Ride and Sea-Sickness Tips You’ll Actually Use
- Phi Phi Ley: Snorkeling Time on the Andaman Sea
- Viking Cave Photo Stop: Quick Views, No Big Detours
- Phi Phi Don: Lunch by the Beach and Time at Ton Sai Bay
- Koh Khai Nai: White Sand Break and Your Final Snorkeling Chances
- Group Size, Guide Net, and How the Day Feels Managed
- Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For at $64.60
- Who Should Book This Phi Phi and Khai Islands Speedboat Tour
- Should You Book It?
- FAQ
- How long is the Phi Phi Khai Islands speedboat excursion?
- Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket?
- What islands and stops are included?
- Is lunch included, and what kind of lunch is it?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- How big are the groups?
- What should I expect at the pier before departure?
- What if the tour is canceled due to weather?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About

- Hotel pickup in Phuket: Door-to-door transfer to the pier, then back again after the day.
- Snorkeling gear included: You don’t have to hunt down equipment before you go.
- Two big islands for time ashore: Phi Phi Don for lunch and Koh Khai Nai for beach and sea time.
- Viking Cave photo stop: Quick, camera-friendly, and easy to fit into a full schedule.
- Small-enough group size (max 45): More manageable than the giant-boat chaos.
- Guide support that goes beyond the script: Net is mentioned for real follow-through and care.
From Phuket Hotel to the Pier: How the Day Starts

The day begins with pickup from Phuket hotels, typically around 7:00 to 8:00. Most days, the pickup area centers on Patong, then you’re transferred to the pier to join the rest of the group. It’s a simple process, but it matters because Phi Phi and Khai islands tours live or die by timing. If you miss the departure window, the whole day gets messy.
Once you reach the pier, you check in and get a little comfort before you head out—snacks plus coffee and tea, and even a bakery-style bite. This is one of those small perks that suddenly feels smart at 8:30 in the morning, when you’d otherwise be thinking about breakfast again and again.
You’ll board the boat and leave around 9:20 am. The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours total, which includes transit between islands, snorkeling windows, and shore time.
One practical note: the tour uses a mobile ticket. That’s helpful because you’ll likely have less to lose (and fewer printed confirmations to scramble for) once you’re in “vacation mode.”
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phuket
Speedboat Ride and Sea-Sickness Tips You’ll Actually Use

This is a speedboat day, which usually means two things: more island time and a faster ride. It also means the sea state matters more than on a slow ferry. If you tend to feel queasy in motion, don’t wait until you’re already halfway out.
A helpful detail from feedback is that sea sickness pills are available right when you check in at the pier. Even if you’re not sure you’ll need them, it’s comforting to know there’s a ready option before you’re committed.
You can also reduce discomfort with simple habits:
- Sit where you feel the least motion (often mid-boat, if your crew can guide you).
- Keep your gaze on the horizon rather than screens.
- Wear something that dries fast and plan for salt spray.
Also, consider footwear. If you don’t have aqua socks, the pier area is said to have them for purchase. You’re going to be stepping around wet areas and using beach-friendly surfaces, and the wrong shoes can turn a fun day into a sore-foot day.
The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you can skip that pre-trip shopping. Still, it helps to wear a swimsuit under your clothes so the day feels smooth when you reach the water.
Phi Phi Ley: Snorkeling Time on the Andaman Sea
Your first major island stop is Ko Phi Phi Le, with about 1 hour for snorkeling. This is where the day turns from sightseeing into underwater scenery.
The Andaman Sea around the islands is known for clear water and colorful reef life, and the snorkeling slot is built to give you enough time to actually do it—not just a quick taste. With snorkeling equipment included, you can focus on the water instead of logistics.
A few practical tips to get more out of the snorkeling hour:
- Make sure the snorkel mask seals well right away. You only get one rhythm window.
- Start calm. The first minutes are about getting your breathing steady.
- If conditions are choppy, stay shallow and keep your effort low.
You’ll also have a chance to look around the island area itself while snorkeling is happening in the plan. The goal here is variety: reef viewing, underwater color, then back to the boat without turning the whole day into a marathon.
Viking Cave Photo Stop: Quick Views, No Big Detours

Next comes Viking Cave, with a short 15-minute stop focused on photos. This is the kind of stop that can feel either perfect or pointless, depending on your expectations.
If you want a quick snapshot of a famous viewpoint and keep moving, this fits well. If you’re hoping for a long, slow exploration, don’t count on it. The time is intentionally brief because the rest of the itinerary has to stay on track.
How to make the most of it:
- Keep your camera/phone ready before you arrive.
- Stay close to the group meeting point. Short stops are where people accidentally drift off.
- Take a wide-angle photo for the setting, then one closer shot for detail.
Think of Viking Cave as a highlight on the route, not the entire day’s purpose.
Phi Phi Don: Lunch by the Beach and Time at Ton Sai Bay

After Phi Phi Ley, you head to Ko Phi Phi Don, with about 2 hours on Phi Phi Don. This is the stop that gives you space to breathe. You can explore Ton Sai Bay, relax on the beaches, and—most importantly—get lunch.
Lunch is included: a Thai buffet at a Phi Phi Don beachside restaurant. Having lunch included is a big part of the value here. Food near the islands can be pricier and less predictable if you’re choosing on the fly, and a scheduled buffet means you’re not spending your limited beach time figuring out where to eat.
You’ll also have some flexibility during the 2-hour window. Some people want to linger by the water and do nothing but enjoy it. Others want to walk a bit, take photos, and check out the bay area.
One balanced way to plan your time:
- Eat first if you get hungry easily, since you don’t want to rush through lunch.
- If you love photos, grab a couple before you go into the water or shade.
Also, the tour includes all entrance fees, so you’re not hit with surprise add-ons mid-day.
Koh Khai Nai: White Sand Break and Your Final Snorkeling Chances

The final main stop is Koh Khai Nai, with about 2 hours. This is the beach break of the day, with pristine waters and white sand time.
The tour includes snorkeling equipment here as well, so you can do a last swim-and-snorkel session before heading back. Even if the reef looks different than Phi Phi Ley, the point is variety: a different kind of scenery, a different shoreline, and a calmer end to the day.
What you can do in this window:
- Relax on the sand.
- Spend time in the water.
- Keep an eye on your timing so you don’t lose your place for the boat return.
This is also where you’ll appreciate having a long enough day plan. When you only get one island, you spend the whole time wishing for more. Here, you get enough time to feel like you actually left the mainland and had an island day, not just a quick stop.
Group Size, Guide Net, and How the Day Feels Managed

The tour is capped at a maximum of 45 travelers, which helps the day feel organized. It’s not a tiny private boat, but it’s small enough that you can usually find your people again and keep track of the schedule without constant stress.
A big reason people rate this trip highly is the human factor: the tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, and one guide name that stands out in feedback is Net. The comments describe him as engaging and funny, and also attentive in the practical moments. One specific detail mentioned is that if something goes wrong—like a minor injury—the guide keeps checking that you’re okay.
That kind of real-time attention is exactly what you want on a day that involves boats, water, and quick stop transitions. It’s easy for a long itinerary to become chaotic with the wrong leadership. With Net, the impression is that the day stays under control while still feeling friendly.
Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For at $64.60

At $64.60 per person, the price looks fair once you break down what’s included. This is not just boat transport. Your ticket covers:
- Pickup and drop-off from Phuket hotels
- A professional English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch (Thai buffet) at Phi Phi Don beachside restaurant
- All entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Snorkeling equipment
When you price out those pieces individually—especially the boat day plus lunch plus gear—the number starts to make sense. You’re buying convenience and a full-day plan that doesn’t leave you stuck at each stop wondering what comes next.
The main cost you might add yourself is personal stuff: drinks, snacks outside the included pier snack setup, and optional purchases like aqua socks if you need them.
So the real question isn’t just Is it cheap? It’s: does the included structure match how you want to spend your day? If you want an all-in-one Phi Phi + Khai itinerary with lunch and snorkeling gear handled, this is good value.
Who Should Book This Phi Phi and Khai Islands Speedboat Tour
This works best for you if you want a mix of island icons and actual beach time without doing the planning math yourself.
Book it if:
- You’re in Phuket and want a single-day hit of Phi Phi Don + Koh Khai Nai.
- You want snorkeling but don’t want to bring or rent equipment.
- You like having lunch included so you can keep enjoying the shoreline.
You might rethink it if:
- You already know you struggle with motion on the water. The speedboat is part of the fun, but it’s also the part most likely to make you uncomfortable.
- You prefer super slow travel with minimal schedule. This day has a lot packed into it.
Should You Book It?
If your ideal day includes speedboat views, snorkeling with included gear, lunch on Phi Phi Don, and a final beach stop at Khai Nai, I’d say this tour is a smart booking. The structure is clear, the group size is reasonable, and the price reflects that you’re not paying separately for boat time, lunch, equipment, and entry fees.
Just treat sea conditions as a real factor. Use the sea sickness pill option available at check-in if you think you’ll need it, and bring or buy aqua-friendly footwear if you don’t already have it. With that done, you’re set up for a fun day that feels like you actually went island-hopping, not just rode along.
FAQ
How long is the Phi Phi Khai Islands speedboat excursion?
The duration is about 8 to 9 hours.
Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket?
Yes. It includes pickup and drop-off from Phuket hotels.
What islands and stops are included?
The day includes stops at Ko Phi Phi Le (snorkeling), Viking Cave (photo stop), Ko Phi Phi Don (explore and lunch), and Koh Khai Nai (beach time and snorkeling).
Is lunch included, and what kind of lunch is it?
Yes. Lunch is included as a Thai buffet at a Phi Phi Don beachside restaurant.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.
How big are the groups?
The tour has a maximum of 45 travelers.
What should I expect at the pier before departure?
During check-in, you’ll have access to snacks, bakery items, coffee, and tea, before boarding. A sea sickness pill option is also available.
What if the tour is canceled due to weather?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.































